In an unprecedented scandal that has rocked the boxing world to its core, referee Thomas Taylor, who officiated the high-stakes super middleweight title fight between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford on September 13, 2025, has admitted to deliberately disadvantaging the 35-year-old Álvarez to prevent his victory. The bombshell revelation came to light on September 18, 2025, at 5:00 PM PDT (8:00 AM ICT, September 19), when the World Boxing Association (WBA) released a damning video of Taylor confessing to biased officiating. The admission, coupled with the WBA’s confirmation of the fight’s controversial outcome, has left the boxing community stunned, reigniting calls for reform and threatening to upend Crawford’s historic unanimous decision win.

The Fight That Defined a Generation

The Álvarez-Crawford clash at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, attended by 70,482 fans and streamed to over 41 million viewers on Netflix, was billed as the fight of the century. Crawford, moving up two weight classes, outboxed Álvarez with speed and precision, securing a unanimous decision victory (116-112, 115-113, 115-113) to claim the WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF, and Ring Magazine super middleweight titles. The win made Crawford the first male boxer to hold undisputed titles in three weight classes in the four-belt era. However, allegations of foul play, including a failed drug test and referee corruption, have cast a dark shadow over the result.

The Referee’s Confession

In a bombshell video released by the WBA, obtained through an anonymous whistleblower and verified by ESPN, referee Thomas Taylor admitted to intentionally skewing his officiating to favor Crawford. Recorded in a private conversation on September 15, 2025, Taylor is heard saying, “I made sure Canelo couldn’t get comfortable. He’s 35, past his prime—Crawford was the future. I leaned his way.” Taylor confessed to overlooking Crawford’s alleged infractions, including a low blow in round six and excessive holding in clinches, while issuing warnings to Álvarez that disrupted his rhythm.

The video, which exploded on X with over 25 million views within hours, also shows Taylor claiming external pressure influenced his decisions. “There were people who wanted a new king,” he said, without naming specifics. The confession aligns with earlier accusations by Manny Pacquiao, who alleged Crawford’s team bribed judge Max DeLuca, though Taylor’s admission shifts the focus to his own actions. The hashtag #CaneloRobbed trended globally, with fans posting, “Taylor admitted he cheated Canelo! This is a disgrace #JusticeForCanelo.”

Controversial Decisions That Tipped the Scales

Taylor’s actions during the fight drew scrutiny even before his confession:

Round Six Low Blow: Taylor issued a warning to Álvarez for a low blow but ignored an earlier, uncalled low blow by Crawford, allowing him to maintain momentum.
Headbutt Pause in Round Nine: An accidental headbutt caused a cut above Crawford’s eye, but Taylor’s lengthy pause disrupted Crawford’s dominance, though critics argue it also gave Álvarez a breather he didn’t earn.
Clinch Management: Taylor’s frequent interventions in clinches appeared to favor Crawford, breaking up exchanges when Álvarez landed heavy body shots.

These decisions, combined with judge Max DeLuca’s 116-112 scorecard, which gave Crawford eight rounds, fueled suspicions of bias. CompuBox stats show Álvarez landed 99 punches to Crawford’s 115, with heavier blows, raising questions about the scoring. “Canelo was robbed,” tweeted former champion Andre Ward. “Taylor’s confession proves it.”

The Boxing World’s Outrage

The WBA’s release of the video has sparked widespread outrage. Canelo Álvarez, speaking at a press conference in Guadalajara on September 18, demanded the fight be declared a no-contest. “I knew something was wrong in that ring,” he said. “Taylor stole my chance. I want my titles back.” Promoter Eddie Hearn called for Taylor’s lifetime ban and an overhaul of boxing officiating, stating, “This is the worst scandal since the 1988 Olympics.”

Crawford’s camp, already battling a separate banned substance scandal, denied involvement in Taylor’s actions. “Bud won fair,” said trainer Brian McIntyre. “Taylor’s confession doesn’t change the fact that he outboxed Canelo.” Crawford tweeted, “I don’t control refs. I just fight. This is a setup #BudTheGOAT.” However, the Nevada Athletic Commission, already investigating Taylor and judge DeLuca for alleged bribery, expanded its probe to include the referee’s bias admission, with a hearing scheduled for September 22, 2025.

Fans on X are divided, with #TaylorBias and #CaneloDeservesJustice amassing 15 million engagements. “Canelo fought against the ref too! Disgusting corruption #BoxingScandal,” one user posted. Others defended Crawford: “Bud dominated. Taylor’s bias didn’t change the outcome #TeamCrawford.” The controversy has drawn parallels to historic boxing scandals, like the 1997 Holyfield-Tyson rematch, with analysts warning of a crisis in the sport’s credibility.

The WBA’s Response and Potential Fallout

The WBA, alongside the WBC, WBO, and IBF, issued a joint statement acknowledging the video and pledging cooperation with the Nevada Athletic Commission. “If bias is confirmed, we will take decisive action, including vacating titles,” the WBA said. A no-contest ruling could strip Crawford of his titles, reinstate Álvarez, or trigger a tournament for the belts. The commission is also investigating whether Taylor’s actions were influenced by external parties, with Saudi financier Turki Al-Sheikh, who bankrolled the fight, facing scrutiny despite no direct evidence.

Analysts predict a no-contest ruling could lead to a 2026 rematch, potentially surpassing the original’s $500 million revenue. “This scandal is bigger than the fight,” said Sports Illustrated columnist Chris Mannix. “A rematch would be a global phenomenon.” However, the doping allegations against Crawford, involving a synthetic testosterone derivative, could complicate matters, with a separate hearing set to determine if he faces a ban.

A Sport Under Siege

Thomas Taylor’s admission of bias in the Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight has plunged boxing into one of its darkest moments. With the WBA’s video exposing deliberate sabotage, fans and fighters are demanding justice, while Crawford’s legacy hangs in the balance amid dual scandals. The Nevada Athletic Commission’s September 22 hearing will be a defining moment, potentially rewriting the outcome of a historic fight and reshaping boxing’s future. As the world debates Taylor’s motives and Crawford’s victory, one thing is clear: the sport’s integrity is on trial. Follow the unfolding drama on X and stay tuned for updates.